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U.S. Reps. Maffei, Hanna see potential for bright future at Port of Oswego

2013-08-07PortofOswego.JPG

U.S. Reps. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse, left, and Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, center, meet today with Oswego Mayor Tom Gillen, right, and Port of Oswego Interim Director Jim Patka, back to camera. Maffei and Hanna said they support a bill that could help upgrade the port's infrastructure.
(Courtesy of Rep. Richard Hanna)

Washington -- Central New York's two congressmen put on a bipartisan display of support today for the Port of Oswego, pledging to help develop the first deep-water port stop on Lake Ontario.

U.S. Reps. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse, and Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, appeared at a news conference in Oswego to announce their effort to secure federal money to dredge Oswego Harbor and develop the port.

In the first joint press conference in Central New York for Maffei and Hanna, the two said they will support the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act -- a bill that could help the Great Lakes region and Oswego.

The Democrat and Republican said they both support H.R. 2273, legislation that treats the Great Lakes as one integrated navigation system, and could help funnel more federal dollars to the Port of Oswego.

Port officials have been trying to upgrade and expand its rail access, and improve shipping channels with a dredging project. Both congressmen said they view the port improvements as a key to Central New York's economy.

"The Port of Oswego is a vital economic anchor that supports thousands of jobs in our region," Maffei said in a statement today. He added, "In order to achieve these goals, we must make the right investments in our port and our local water infrastructure, which is so important to our economy and businesses in Central New York."

Hanna a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he will work with Maffei to pass the bill because the "Great Lakes, the Erie Canal and other waterways are economic assets that support jobs, trade and economic competitiveness."

Although Oswego is within Maffei's 24th Congressional District, he and Hanna both represent Oswego County in the House of Representatives. Hanna represents the eastern half of the county as part of the 22nd Congressional District. Maffei's district includes the cities of Oswego and Fulton and the western half of the county.